BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton was elected chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party on Saturday, defeating incumbent Randy Kelley as the party seeks to rebuild its organization and strengthen supports for Democratic candidates.
Singleton, D-Greensboro, won 165 votes to Kelley’s 62, AL.com first reported. Kelley had the support of longtime party leader Joe Reed.
“Not only do we need to raise money, but we need to get out here and build our party from the ground up!” Singleton said, according to AL.com.
Singleton said he plans to raise more money to support Democratic candidates and travel throughout Alabama and the country seeking financial and political support. He also pledged to work with the party’s women, Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ and youth caucuses.
Alabama Reflector reported that Singleton plans to visit all 67 counties as part of a 90-day plan focused on listening, building and mobilizing ahead of the November election.
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, who nominated Singleton, said the party needed a chairman who could raise money, according to the Reflector. He also urged Democrats to unite after the leadership contest and said the party “cannot let any election go unchallenged on the other side.”
Singleton told both outlets that frustration with the state party’s lack of support for Democratic lawmakers and candidates helped motivate his run.